Reply by schwingding

Yup, oil of choice, then shellac. My favorite finish is oil, shellac, then ArmRSeal. I prefer Watco as it is thinner than most “tung oils” I’ve used and soaks in further.

Couple of coats of oil, then one coat of shellac, then sand to 320 to get rid of the fuzzies. Then 3 coats of ArmRSeal, the 2nd one rubbed in with 0000 steel wool. Then when cured rub out with Liberon 0000 wool and Howard FeedNWax. Take a look at the shaker desk in my projects library, it was finished exactly that way.

Leopardwood will respond wonderfully to the oil. If you could wipe it down with a light brown dye first, then sand it with 320, you’ll pop the figure even more.